The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of magic forever, in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of The Sword of Kaigen.
For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fuelled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to become the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry.
When Sciona finally achieves her ambition and becomes a highmage, she finds her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues are determined to make her feel unwelcome – and, instead of a qualified lab assistant, they give her a janitor.
What neither Sciona nor her peers realise is that her taciturn assistant was not always a janitor. Ten years ago, he was a nomadic hunter who lost his family on their perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. But now he sees the opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the privileged in power.
At first, mage and outsider have a fractious relationship. But working together, they uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever – if it doesn’t get them killed first.
Broken Binding exclusive edition, featuring:
- Exclusive cover by Danlin Zhang, with typography by Jeff Brown
- Signed by the author
- Endpaper artwork by Raphael Pinna and Peng Lu
- 3 internal black and white illustrations by Peng Lu
- Digitally sprayed fore-edge and block sprayed top and bottom
- Foil on boards
- Head and tail bands
- Publish Date February 2025 (first published 29 October 2024)
- Publish Status Forthcoming
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Cornerstone
- Imprint Del Rey
- Edition Broken Binding Exclusive
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 448
- Language English
- Special Exclusive Design Signed Sprayed Edges Illustrated